Subtle features of ice with cloudy effects and scratches from collision damage

We propose a simulation framework for expressing cloudy effects and scratches on ice caused by the collision of other objects. Cloudy effects are created and diffused in proportion to the collision on the ice surfaces calculated by a combination of a grid‐projection technique and the boundary particle method. To prevent dissipation during the diffusion process, a geodesic distance is used as a constraint. Scratches are modeled directionally by analyzing the density gradient of cloudy effects and rendered using needle‐shaped ellipsoids. Experiments provide detailed expression of cloudy effects and scratches from collision damage. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Is quantum capacitance in graphene a potential hurdle for device scaling？

Transistor size is constantly being reduced to improve performance as well as power consumption. For the channel length to be reduced, the corresponding gate dielectric thickness should also be reduced. Unfortunately, graphene devices are more complicated due to an extra capacitance called quantum capacitance （CQ） which limits the effective gate dielectric reduction. In this work, we analyzed the effect of CQ on device-scaling issues by extracting it from scaling of the channel length of devices. In contrast to previous reports for metal-insulator- metal structures, a practical device structure was used in conjunction with direct radio-frequency field-effect transistor measurements to describe the graphene channels. In order to precisely extract device parameters, we reassessed the equivalent circuit, and concluded that the on-state model should in fact be used. By careful consideration of the underlap region, our device modeling was shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data. CQ contributions to equivalent oxide thickness were analyzed in detail for varying impurity concentrations in graphene. Finally, we were able to demonstrate that despite contributions from CQ, graphene＇s high mobility and low-voltage operation allows for ~raphene channels suitable for next generation transistors.     

Model to couple anaerobic process kinetics with biological growth equilibrium thermodynamics

Monod kinetics indicates a substrate concentration limit (S(min)) at biological growth equilibrium where growth is just balanced by decay. A relationship between S(min) and the Gibbs free energy available at growth equilibrium (ΔG(E)) was introduced into the Monod model and applied directly to chemostat cultures. Results from four anaerobic mixed-culture chemostat studies yielded ΔG(E) of -17.7 ± 2.2 kJ/mol acetate converted to methane. ΔG(E) for propionate syntrophs in propionate-fed cultures was -8.0 ± 3.1 kJ/mol propionate, compared with that of -3.0 ± 0.9 kJ/mol H(2) for the hydrogenotrophs present. With ethanol present, however, ΔG(E) for the hydrogenotrophs became more favorable, -6.1 ± 1.6 kJ/mol H(2), while ΔG(E) for propionate became positive even though propionate was consumed, suggesting an alternative interspecies electron transport route. The results suggest that S(min), normally considered a function of an organism's intrinsic rate characteristics, is also a function of solution characteristics, and this is likely the case for the substrate affinity coefficient, K, as well. A comparison between ΔG(E) and S(min) and reported threshold thermodynamic and concentration limits, leads to the conclusion that ΔG(E) and S(min) represent lower and upper bounds, respectively, on such values. This study indicates that knowledge gained from pure-culture studies applies well to more complex natural anaerobic systems.     

Determination of capsaicinoids in foods using ultra high performance liquid chromatography

A sensitive, precise, and specific ultra high performance liquid chromatographic (u-HPLC) method was developed for the analysis of capsaicin in foods. The method validation parameters yielded good results, including linearity, precision, accuracy, and recovery. The u-HPLC separation was performed on a reversed column C₁₈ (particle size 2 μm, i.d. 2 mm, length 50 mm, followed by fluorescence detection-excitation 280 nm, emission 325 nm). The recovery of capsaicin in gochujang was more than 91%, and the detection limit and lower determination limit of u-HPLC analysis were 0.054 and 0.163 μg/mL for capsaicin and 0.053 and 0.160 μg/mL for dihydrocapsaicin, respectively. The calibration graph for capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin was linear from 0.2 to 10.0 μg/mL for u-HPLC analysis. The inter-day and intra-day precisions (relative standard deviations) were <5.21% for capsaicin and <9.79% for dihydrocapsaicin while the average recoveries obtained were quantitative 91.1–94.8% for capsaicin, 91.4–97.0% for dihydrocapsacin, indicating good accuracy of the u-HPLC method.     

Effect of engine control parameters on combustion and particle number emission characteristics from a SIDI engine fueled with gasoline-ethanol blends

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - In this study, the impact of engine control parameters on combustion behaviors and particle number emissions was investigated with a spark ignition...     

Expressive Responses to News Stories About Extremist Groups: A Framing Experiment

With the tension between national security and civil liberties as a backdrop, this study examines responses to news coverage of activist groups. This 2 × 2 experiment presented participants with news stories about government efforts to restrict the civil liberties of an "extremist" individual or group (news frame) advocating for a cause supported or opposed by the respondent (cause predisposition). Willingness to take expressive action was greatest for individual-framed stories about a cause opposed by the respondent and for group-framed stories about a cause supported by the respondent. We contend that when reporters frame stories about extremist groups around individuals, fewer people will speak out in favor of causes they agree with and more will rally against causes they oppose.     

Rapid method for determination of β-carotene in foods using ultra high performance liquid chromatography

The ultra high performance liquid chromatography (u-HPLC) method for determination of β-carotene in foods was validated in terms of precision, accuracy, and linearity. The u-HPLC separation was performed on a reversed column C₁₈ (particle size 2 μm, i.d. 2 mm, length 50 mm), followed by ultra violet (UV) detection at 450 nm. The recovery of β-carotene was more than 84.4% and the limit of detection and limit of quantitation of u-HPLC analysis were 0.28 and 0.85 μg/mL for β-carotene with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 0.62 and 1.89 μg/mL for β-carotene without BHT, respectively. The calibration graph for β-carotene was linear from 0.1 to 25.0 μg/mL for u-HPLC. The intra- and interday precisions (relative standard deviations) were <7.5 and <7.8%, respectively. Benefits of u-HPLC analysis of β-carotene in foods is reduction of the analysis time to approximately 1/4, saving the volume of solvent to approximately 1/15. It seems that u-HPLC can offer significant improvements in speed, sensitivity, and resolution compared with conventional HPLC, this bodes well for future applications.